By Natalee Michaud
poemRENOVATION Summer Intern
Did you know that older adults who regularly participate in arts and creative activities often report higher levels of life satisfaction and social engagement? Well, according to a recent study done by the EpiArts Lab at the University of Florida’s Center for Arts in Medicine, it’s true! In this month’s blog we will discuss just that.
Hobbies and creative activities are very important for boosting mental and physical health. And it is especially important to continue finding inspiration as we age. We spend so much time chasing our youth, but what if the real goal is staying inspired?
Rethinking What Healthy Aging Looks Like
When you think of getting older, staying creative may not be the first thing that crosses your mind. Conversations about aging often focus on physical health, doctor visits or retirement planning. While these are essential, healthy aging is about more than physical health.
According to the EpiArts Lab study, “older adults who did creative hobbies at least monthly were 20% less likely to be depressed than those who never did hobbies.”
Making sure you have a creative outlet is equally as important to your physical health and it should also be prioritized as you age. Creativity might look different for everyone. Art and music may work for one person but building a bird house or planting a colorful flower garden might work for another. It’s all about finding your niche that brings you joy.
Creativity Supports Mind, Body and Spirit
To nurture your creative side is to nurture your mental and physical well-being. Whether it’s writing, painting, gardening, music, crafting or simply exploring new ideas, creative expression helps us stay curious, connected and engaged. As we age, creativity isn’t just a pastime, it can be a powerful source of purpose, joy and inspiration.
Being creative has a direct correlation to being open, curious and willing to stay engaged. The more you invite these activities into your life, the more likely you are to discover new interests, build meaningful connections, and maintain a positive outlook.
Creativity encourages lifelong learning and reminds us that there’s always something new to explore, regardless of age. The EpiArts Lab’s research shows “for older adults, doing one to three hours of arts activities per week helps to prevent cognitive decline, with similar benefits to exercising for one hour per week.”
Creativity Builds Confidence and Connection
Creativity does not have to be a solo activity, it can actually be beneficial to be creative with others to build social connection and personal confidence. As people get older, loneliness and social isolation can become more common, sometimes affecting confidence and making it harder to engage with others. Creative activities provide a welcoming, low-pressure way to reconnect.
According to the EpiArts Lab study, “loneliness is linked to higher levels of inflammation, while social engagement, like participating in community activities and hobbies, may reduce inflammation.”
Whether it’s participating in a group art project, sharing stories, or completing a creative word challenge together, these experiences naturally encourage a healthy lifestyle that builds connection.
Simple Ways to Add More Creativity to Your Day
Adding more creativity to your day doesn’t require special skills, expensive supplies or hours of free time. There are a ton of things you can do to be creative with limited resources.
You could try journaling for a few minutes each morning, reading a poem, listening to music, tending to a garden, sketching, cooking a new recipe, or taking a different route on your daily walk. The goal isn’t to find something perfect, it is to stay curious, express yourself, and enjoy the experience.
EpiArts Lab researchers found that “for adults aged 65+, having a hobby was associated with fewer depressive symptoms, and higher levels of self-reported health, happiness and life satisfaction.”
Keeping the Spark Alive with poemRENOVATION
When you are thinking of a simple but effective way to stay creative and can’t seem to find just the right thing, turn to poemRENOVATION. With its 3D-printed word blocks and digital version, poemRENOVATION makes creativity accessible for people of all ages and abilities.
To get started:
- Create a sentence.
- Use that sentence as a starting point to write a story, or as a journal prompt.
- Arrange words to create a haiku.
- Get creative with a friend: You both can choose a word from the daily word bank or a word block set. Talk together about a memory that word sparks. The possibilities are endless.
No matter the age, the story, or creative ability, poemRENOVATION is for anyone looking for that spark of joy, creativity or inspiration. There are no rules or limits, just create!
References
https://news.ufl.edu/2026/07/arts-engagement-study/
https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250364531/artcure/
https://sites.google.com/ufl.edu/epiartslab/home?authuser=0
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Aqw7OxvfuRRuYtja4canILCwUSTwaAju/view